A Read Your Way to Superstardom Giveaway

Tuesday, February 11, 2014  ::  

Many thoughts are swirling around in my heart and mind today. The week of prayer and fasting mixed with the IF:Gathering mixed with Chad's message Sunday night make me feel like I've consumed five energy drinks while carrying a loaded semi up the hill. Energized, heavy, and a little crazy...that's me.

I can't really make sense of it all today. Some of those blog posts will come out in the days to come. There were three specific burdens rekindled through the above mentioned experiences. One of them is to blog more because I actually enjoy it. Another one was to stick to my clearly defined boundaries in other areas of ministry which, incidentally, will afford me to opportunities to blog more. Do you see that little circle of convenience? If I don't meet with all the people in one week then I can blog and do some other things I love. By the way, this is not a commentary on any of you. The problem/awesomeness is I love to meet, invest in, and talk with women. I have to be the one that says, "I would love to get together, but I can't this week because my schedule is full." That isn't your job. It's mine. I own my issue of boundary ignoring.

An area of atrophy in my life since my stroke is reading. You know I've already lamented on my blog about the difficulty of reading. My broken brain just wouldn't cooperate. It usually left me sad, frustrated, and exhausted. The fantastic, wonderful, fabulous news is that my brain continues to get better and better and stronger and stronger. My ability to read longer and retain what I've read is a tangible example of healing.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't have the super power of reading like some of my friends do. (I'm looking at you John W., Steph K, Alisa W.) Some people can blow through a book in a minute or two, but that's not true for me. I would love to classify myself as an avid reader, but it would be a lie. However, I do aspire to be a disciplined reader.

A few years ago I read a quote by Harry S. Truman. "Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers." It deeply resonated with my desire to grow in leadership. It fortified a disciplined determination to read.

found on pinterest
Whenever people tell me they don't read because they just don't like it, I'm left a little shocked. Guess what? I don't like it either. I like baking and sipping iced tea, but if all I do is bake cookies and drink tea I'm going to be a fat old lady with brown teeth. Reading will make me stronger, smarter, more influential. If you don't want to influence anyone, then fine. Don't read. As for me, I'm going to will myself into turning as many pages as my brain will allow and after a good rest, I plan to turn some more.

To just blab on about reading, but not help anyone in their journey is lame. Therefore, to encourage the beauty of reading, I'm hosting my first blog give away. You are about to have the chance to win not one, but two prizes.

I don't want to just tell you to read, I want to help you, so the big prize is a $30 gift card to Amazon. You can pick out some books that have been on your wish list. Side note, if you don't have books on your Amazon wish list, change that today. It is an easy way to keep a running list of books you hope to read in the future, even if you don't purchase them from Amazon. Of course I realize someone could take the $30 and buy this or this or this, but I'm hoping you won't.

The second part of the prize is Shauna Niequist's book Bread & Wine.  Many of you in my circle of friendship that hope to win have already read the book. If you win, give the book to someone who will enjoy it as much as you did. I love the way Shauna tells the story of her life. She weaves her words beautifully. I feel calm and inspired when I read her books. That, my friends, is a good combination of feelings.

To enter I'm getting a little fancy pants on you. I honestly couldn't figure out a more fair way to do this thing. Excuse me while I feel a little awkward about it. The first time I taught a step aerobic class I felt quite silly, especially since I was wearing awesome hot pink leg warmers (not really.) There will be no leg warmers for this, but a rafflecopter is about to make its appearance and I'm going to ask you to do things like "follow this blog" and "share on Facebook and/or Twitter." Feels an awful lot like my first step class as an instructor. In that class and in this give away I may feel a little like this:

source

Anywho, you can enter to win by leaving a comment about what book you are reading or want to read. You can leave a comment with a verse you are memorizing because you all know how that makes my heart sing. You can click on the little follow this blog button on the side for an extra entry. If you already follow it counts as an entry. Finally, you can share this give away on Facebook or Twitter. You can enter six times. There ya have it!

I will do the whole post the winner and stuff on Tuesday the 18th. One week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I'm looking forward to reading your comments already!

46 important comments so far. What are your thoughts?

Alysa said...

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Alysa said...

Currently reading The Locust Effect and Harry Potter 2 because I like balance.

Unknown said...

Cease striving and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 a.m.

Book: The Cure by John Lynch

:)

Seeds Community Center said...

I just received Solo, a new devotional for women by The Message folks. I read the intro and am planning to start day one on March 4th, the first day of retirement --- Carol Smith

Prairie Momma said...

Currently reading "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore and "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo (I LOVE that book....absolutely LOVE it.....will read it over and over for the rest of my life...that's how much I LOVE that book..OK. I'm done now). Working on Deut 17:19-20. I had never heard of the Bread & Wine book, so it is going in my wish list!

wearitbaseball said...

Great post! Just really got back into reading this past month.

Not sure if I count being a dude and all entering this contest (give it to the 2nd place contestant if I happen to win :)) but...I'm currently reading Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning and The Monuments Men by Robert Edsel. Currently on Mark 10:14-16 "But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." (I'm trying to recapture that childlike faith. The kind of faith where I know that there is nothing I can do to pay Him back yet I feel free to enjoy him nevertheless...as He wants us to.)

PS: Congrats Carol!
PPS: Jamie, The Cure authors spoke at a baseball retreat the last 2 years. I really enjoyed reading that book.

Stephanie said...

"Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

Stephanie said...

I'd really love to read "Notes from a blue bike". My heart yearns for simplicity and I feel like this one would feed my soul.

msmissy02 said...

I am not currently reading a book. But love good books! Thanks for the giveaway! DamianMom at yahoo dot com

msmissy02 said...

I am not currently memorizing any scriptures. Thanks for the giveaway! DamianMom at yahoo dot com

Emily said...

I just finished memorizing Matt 6:19-21 about storing up treasures in heaven and not on earth. :)

Emily said...

I just finished Bread and Wine and loved it! (Thanks for the recommendation). If I won the gift card, I would buy Cold Tangerines. :) Currently working on Trophy Child by Ted Cunningham.

Unknown said...

I'm currently in the middle of two books: "The Gospel Centered Woman" by Wendy Alsup and "Bread and Wine" by Shauna Niequist. And I have an embarrassingly long list of books I would buy on Amazon. But Christine Caine's "Undaunted."

Unknown said...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

Unknown said...

I'm currently finishing "7" by Jen Hatmaker as I started it a couple months ago and then the holidays happend. ;) And, Emily, great minds think alike, as I'm memorizing Matt. 6:19-21 as well!

Unknown said...

I am really excited to read your future posts on what you've been learning and mulling over. As for book-worming, I am currently reading Desiring God by John Piper and am enjoying it a lot. It has been liberating to remember that Jesus is my ultimate joy and praising Him is simply the consummation of my joy. It has made worship, singing, and obedience to Him far more freeing.

I'm memorizing Psalm 62:7-8 "On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah."

Unknown said...

I just got through the intro to 7 by Jen Hatmaker and am getting close to finishing Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson. I'm working on Psalm 18:19. It's a verse that has always spoken to me but I always paraphrase because I've not taken the time to commit it to memory

Unknown said...

I have just finished "Respectable Sins," but now have an entire stack that I want to read thanks to IF:LOCAL. But until I purchase/rent those, I picked up "Sacred Marriage." Also working through "The Respect Dare."

Hannah said...

Just finished reading "The Art of Choice" by Sheena Iyengar and started "7" by Jen Hatmaker.

Erin Fabry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin Fabry said...

I am currently reading a bunch of marriage books, and I have had my eye on "Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts" by Les and Leslie Parrott. However, my marriage is about to start. I hope I win so I can save it! (Just kidding :). Thank you for the encouragement to keep reading. It rewires the brain.

Erin Fabry said...

I love this contest!! My verse is 2 Timothy 1:7. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Nicky said...

My verse is

Psalm 34:4
" I sought the Lord and he answered me and he delivered my from all my fears."

Laura K. Moore said...

Ephesians 4:29-32

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Laura K. Moore said...

regarding reading...it has been hard to find the time to be consistent. The best approach has been to wake up an hour earlier than the kids. which is unpredictable and easily sets me up to resent them when they wake early... BUT BUT BUT.... the riches and heart-expanding weight and necessity of reading / quiet time / time with jesus is beautiful. thank you for continuing to nudging us towards wisdom!!

Angela DeSoto said...

Thank you for this encouragement. I do value reading but sometimes get discouraged with how long it takes me to get through a book, especially now with three kids. But since the new year I have felt some encouragement to get through some books that I have been only creeping through until now. So, I'd like to finish up Rocking the Roles as well as Beth Moore's book, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things.
I have never created an Amazon wish list. I am going to do that soon...sounds fun!

Angela DeSoto said...

My February verse (which I have memorized now so I need to pick another one for the rest of the month) is:
Zephaniah 3:17
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing."

clepeau said...

Grabbed Hebrews 11:1 from IF: gathering this weekend (specifically the KJV)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

clepeau said...

I recently picked up "Practical Theology for Women" (Wendy Alsup) to reread. And reading "Encouragement: the key to caring"(Crabb and Allender) with some fabulous women. :)

Kristen said...

I am currently reading "A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet" by Sophie Hudson and "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore... woot, woot for all those FREE books she shared with us at the beginning of the year! :) I love having a stack to work through!

Kristen said...

I'm actually working on two verses right now -- one with each of my kiddos -- Sadie is memorizing Romans 10:9 - "Say with your mouth Jesus is Lord. Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved." With Cole I am working on 2 Peter 1:3 - "God has given us everything we need for living a godly life."

Kristen said...

I also forgot to tell you that "Bread and Wine" has already been on my "to order" list.. .along with Notes from a Blue Bike by Oxenreider, Clout by Catron, and Stronger by Thomas. Okay... I think this is the most I have every commented on someones blog! :) Thanks for sharing the reading love!

Rahel Berhe said...

I'm reading the "Great Divorce" and slowly working through "Practical Theology for Women".

Unknown said...

I'm reading "Freefall to Fly" by Rebekah Lyons. <3

Unknown said...

I am not currently memorizing a verse, but I must start! I should look on here for ones :)

Unknown said...

Posted this fantastic giveaway on Twitter :) https://twitter.com/heyooletsgo/status/433844382874075136

christy.anne said...

I am currently reading Nik Ripkin's "The Insanity of God." It is his and his family's story of doing relief work in Africa and somehow finding God in the depth of horror and grief that existed there at the time.
Not sure if more books equal more entries… (wink)… but I'm also working through "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Pollan) and "Ghost Town" (Johnson), books about food and cholera respectively.

As for verses, I am memorizing the following:
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have DIVINE power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ."
-2 Corinthians 10:4-5

I love this verse! The power to demolish strongholds is God's, not mine. We show up and pray and act obediently, but victory is always the Lord's.

Also memorizing:
"I am still confident of this: that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
-Psalm 27:13-14

laura said...

Oo fun! I am almost done with "Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power" by Andy Crouch. While we often associate power with being corrupt (injustice, idolatry), "power is also the means by which we bring life, create possibilities, offer hope and make human flourishing possible. This is 'playing god' as it is meant to be."

Also slowly working through "The Grapes of Wrath" by Steinbeck. :)

T. said...

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isiah 40:31

Monique said...

Currently reading "Jesus the One and Only" by Beth Moore and "Rocking the Roles" by Robert Lewis

Monique said...

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:19-20

Lawson Moore said...

Currently I am reading "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin but will be adding a more edifying book "Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture" by Brandon Hatmaker. I had started in with my wife and really enjoyed the first five chapters.

Lawson Moore said...

James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Susie Bishara said...

I am currently reading Love Does. And another book called the name of the wind just for fun.I would like to read Shauna Niequist's books. I am memorizing and refocusing on john 14:5-7

psalm9567 said...

Angel, I always lover reading what you write. I am currently reading Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson (not a Christian book, but a great foodie book). I have picked up (again), Morning and Evening by Spurgeon, which I love. He's so eloquent yet down-to-earth when he speaks of how we should follow Jesus. :)

psalm9567 said...

Bible verse, since I forgot the instructions already, is this:
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17 **I have been meditating on John 14-15, about abiding in Christ, and about Him abiding in me by the Holy Spirit.

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